Actors, Sports Stars Play Golf in Beaumont to Help Bring Christmas to 3,500 Children

BEAUMONT, CA – Actors and Southern California sports legends joined 330 golfers at the Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon on Friday at the annual Christmas Cheer All Year Celebrity Golf Tournament, which will help provide 3,500 disadvantaged children from across the region with a holiday shopping spree this year.

For the seventh year in the row, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians is serving as title sponsor of the shopping spree organized and founded by longtime Fox 11 News journalist Rick Lozano. Morongo provided $100,000 in cash and services in support of Friday’s golf tournament and the upcoming shopping spree at a regional toy store.

“We are happy to be partnering with Rick Lozano and his group again this year to make holiday dreams come true for thousands of children,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. “This annual shopping spree brings joy to those who deserve it the most - children in need.”

Celebrities at Friday’s tournament included Kansas City Chiefs running back Christian Okoye; Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitcher and World Series champion Troy Percival; UCLA and Los Angeles Rams defensive back Kermit Alexander; Angels pitcher and commentator Mark Gubicza; Carlos Palomino, a former WBC Welterweight Champion and a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame as well as actors Demond Wilson of TV’s Sanford and Son and Valente Rodriguez of the film McFarland.

“For the past seven years, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians has helped make sure our annual shopping spree and golf tournament are successes,” Lozano said. “We want to thank Morongo and all of the celebrities for embracing the holiday spirit and for their continuing commitment to helping others.”

The tournament was played on the 36-hole championship Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon, located in Beaumont.

Scheduled for later this month, the annual shopping spree will involve 3,500 children selected by local non-profit organizations, including hundreds from the San Gorgonio Pass as well as dozens of foster children with Riverside County’s Child Protective Services.

The annual Christmas Cheer All Year Golf Tournament and the Christmas Cheer All Year shopping spree are just two of many events that Morongo supports to help strengthen local communities and local families.

True to its tradition of giving, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians contributes more than $1 million annually to support communities and non-profit organizations across the Inland Empire and Southern California.

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MAIN IMAGE: Tournament organizer Rick Lozano (left) of Fox 11 News accepts a $100,000 check Friday from Morongo Tribal Council Member Damon Sandoval in support of the upcoming Christmas Cheer All Year Shopping Spree for 3,500 children in need.

–PHOTOS AND STORY SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: The Morongo Band of Mission Indians.